# Claris FileMaker

> Low-code platform for custom database apps on desktop, iOS and web

Claris FileMaker is a low-code platform for building custom business apps on top of a built-in database, with layouts, scripts and access controls handled in one tool. Apps run natively on Mac, Windows, iPhone and iPad and in a browser through FileMaker WebDirect. They can be hosted by Claris on FileMaker Cloud or on an organization's own FileMaker Server.

- **Category:** Spreadsheets & Databases
- **Made by:** Claris International Inc.
- **Website:** https://www.claris.com/filemaker/
- **Runs on:** macOS, Windows, iOS, Web
- **Facts last checked:** Oct 5, 2026

## Pricing

Claris FileMaker is a paid product with a free trial, starting at $17.50 per user / month, billed annually (FileMaker Server Starter, 5+ users).

- **Pricing model:** Free trial
- **Free plan:** None.
- **Free trial:** 45-day free trial with full access to the platform, no credit card required.

| Plan | Price | What you get |
| --- | --- | --- |
| FileMaker Server Starter | $17.50 per user / month, billed annually; 5 to 99 users | Self-hosted: FileMaker Pro, Go and WebDirect for every user, up to 3 on-premise servers and 5 active Claris Connect flows. |
| FileMaker Cloud Starter | $22 per user / month, billed annually; 5 to 10 users only | Hosted by Claris: 3 apps, 2 GB of data storage per user per year with no upgrades, and 5 active Claris Connect flows. |
| FileMaker Server Max | $22 per user / month, billed annually; 5 to 99 users | Self-hosted and bought through sales: the same client access on up to 3 on-premise servers, with 50 active Claris Connect flows. |
| FileMaker Cloud Max | $45 per user / month, billed annually; 5 to 99 users | Hosted by Claris: 256 apps, 6 GB of data storage per user per year with upgrades available, and 50 active Claris Connect flows. |
| FileMaker Pro single license | $625 per license; no billing period is shown in the Claris Store | A single FileMaker Pro license for an individual who does not need to share data with others. An Upgrade option exists for owners of FileMaker Pro 2024 or later. |

Read from https://www.claris.com/pricing/ on Oct 5, 2026. Prices change, so confirm with Claris FileMaker before buying.

## Key features

- **Drag-and-drop app design:** Layouts are built with design tools and built-in templates, and prebuilt add-ons drop in charts, calendars, kanban boards and activity timelines.
- **Script Engine:** Predefined script steps, script triggers and calculation functions automate workflows and data processing without a traditional programming language, including scripts that run on the server.
- **Cross-platform clients:** Apps open in FileMaker Pro on Mac and Windows, in FileMaker Go on iPhone and iPad, and in Safari, Chrome or Microsoft Edge through FileMaker WebDirect.
- **Cloud or self-hosted:** FileMaker Cloud runs on AWS and backs up data changes every 20 minutes, keeping backups for 30 days. FileMaker Server hosts the same apps on an organization's own infrastructure.
- **APIs and external data:** The FileMaker Data API and OData expose app data to other services, ODBC and JDBC are supported, and live two-way connections reach MySQL, Oracle and Microsoft SQL Server.
- **AI integration:** Scripts and APIs connect apps to AI services to automate tasks, analyze data and generate content. FileMaker 2026 added Google Gemini as a provider and semantic search enhancements.

## Good for

- Businesses that need custom apps shaped around their own workflows
- Teams split between Mac and Windows desktops and iPhones or iPads
- Organizations that want to host their apps on their own servers

## Worth knowing

- There is no free plan: after the 45-day trial, team licenses start at 5 users and are billed annually.
- FileMaker Cloud Starter is limited to 5 to 10 users, 3 apps and 2 GB of data storage per user per year, with no upgrades.
- Native clients cover Mac, Windows, iPhone and iPad; other devices reach apps through a web browser with FileMaker WebDirect.
- Remote Backup and Standby Server are paid add-ons for FileMaker Server; Claris says Remote Backup is not available for FileMaker Cloud.

## Works with

Claris Connect, Microsoft SQL Server, MySQL, Oracle, Okta, Google Gemini

**Tags:** Databases, App builder, Workflow automation, Self-hostable, Public API, AI features, Reports

## Alternatives

- [Microsoft Access](https://toolgpa.com/tools/microsoft-access): Windows desktop database app sold with Microsoft 365. [Compare](https://toolgpa.com/compare/claris-filemaker-vs-microsoft-access)
- [Airtable](https://toolgpa.com/tools/airtable): Relational database platform for building team workflows and apps. [Compare](https://toolgpa.com/compare/airtable-vs-claris-filemaker)
- [Ninox](https://toolgpa.com/tools/ninox): AI-assisted low-code platform for custom business software. [Compare](https://toolgpa.com/compare/claris-filemaker-vs-ninox)
- [Baserow](https://toolgpa.com/tools/baserow): Open-source no-code database and application builder. [Compare](https://toolgpa.com/compare/baserow-vs-claris-filemaker)
- [Grist](https://toolgpa.com/tools/grist): Open-source relational spreadsheet with Python formulas. [Compare](https://toolgpa.com/compare/claris-filemaker-vs-grist)

## Sources

The prices, plans, platforms and features above were read from these pages on Oct 5, 2026:

- https://www.claris.com/pricing/
- https://www.claris.com/pricing/self-hosted.html
- https://www.claris.com/site/includes/pricing/pricing_backup.txt
- https://www.claris.com/pricing/includes/data/server_pricing.json
- https://store.claris.com/individuals
- https://www.claris.com/filemaker/
- https://www.claris.com/company/

Page: https://toolgpa.com/tools/claris-filemaker
Listed by ToolGPA (toolgpa.com).